Reflections of a Square Peg

Canada's Future Leaders

This time of year is always one of my favourite from a business point of view (as well as normally because summer has arrived - although it seems to keep disappearing this year!).

Today was the annual awards ceremony for Canada's Top 20 Under 20 and each year for the past few years I am invited in to meet with the recipients and deliver a personal brand workshop for them

Meeting this group is one of the most inspiring and humbling experiences at once - inspiring because you can see what's possible when you set you mind to it, humbling because we all too often make excuses for not getting even the simplest of things done and then you read what they have been able to do - quite often just with a belief and a passion. They really are being true personal brands.

My workshop held at Bell's head office in Mississauga was I believe again well received, the award winners were engaged, questioning and having some fun too - and why not! We had some interesting discussions and all too soon the 2 hours was gone and they were on to the next event - a jam packed week to be sure. 

The Globe & Mail ran a piece in today's newspaper and you can link to it here Top 20 Under 20 and see what the future leaders of Canada are doing.

26 Experts on How to Make Money Not Cold Calling

I don't know many people who like to cold call, I know it has never been that successful for me. Not only is it so impersonal and intrusive, but it just doesn't work, how many times do you put the phone down or screen the telesales call at home? For every 50 cold calls you make, only 2 will result in an appointment.

My friend, Leesa Barnes, hates cold calling. She relied on cold calling to get clients for her web development business in 1997. Two years later and heavily in debt, Leesa gave up on self employment and got herself a full time job.

When she was laid off in 2004, Leesa decided to try self employment again. But this time, she did things a little differently. Leesa decided to use social media to find new clients and make money.

Four years later, Leesa has published a book, is a recognized expert in podcasting and has tripled her income in just 12 months - all without cold calling.

If you think Facebook, MySpace, blogs and podcasts are only used by teenagers, you're missing out on one of the easiest ways to find new clients.

If you want to learn how to use social media as a business tool and do it right the first time, I invite you to check out a virtual event taking place this month that's hosted by Leesa.

It's called the Social Media Telesummit and it features 26 amazing speakers who will teach you
how to use social media for business.

There's no fluff at this event. Each speaker will teach you a specific tip based on their practical, in the trenches experiences.

So, if you want to say goodbye to cold calling and use a fun and profitable way to find new
clients, click on the following link to read more about how this event will help you:

Social Media Telesummit

Are You Considering Your Invisible Branding?

Just received an e-mail from Neutron, the agency run by Marty Neumeier the author of The Brand Gap and Zag - two highly interesting and thought provoking brand books - definitely recommended reads.

This e-mail was talking about 'Invisible Branding' and the fact that most people in business to business, which includes professional services, do not have the 'luxury' of the consumer companies when promoting and communicating their brands.

They do not reap the reward of advrtising, web presence, point of sale etc etc.

Instead they have to be very much better at the invisible branding side - things such as a strong CEO vision, building customer relationships and effective employee training.

How does that work for you in professional services? Do you have some of these invisible items in place, or is it something you need to be working on?

What I really like about Marty is he is willing to share - so much so that he calls these monthly e-mails Steal This Idea. Go right ahead and take him up on hbis offer and download the one page slide and post it where you can see it and start to consider the invisible.

Are You Being Selfish Enough to be Successful?

It might seem like a strange question to ask you. How can being selfish make you more successful?

But in a way that was what I was asked at my recent mastermind group intensive. Well at least that was one of the key ‘truffles’ that I came away with after spending 3 virtual days with a great group of coaches and consultants who make up a mastermind group of peers that have now been together for our third year.

A truffle is when you have an aha moment, or something that could well have been staring you in the face suddenly jumps right up and bangs you on the side of the head. It was the first morning of the intensive and I was challenged to come back to the group after lunch with a presentation on why my business had not been doing as well in 2007 as I had hoped or planned.

Initially I frantically did some research on my numbers (never had been a strong point of mine, keeping a finger on the pulse of the business). Then over a quick bite to eat contemplated what it was that was stopping me from being successful?

Then the truffle sneaked up and gave me a whack

I pride myself on being helpful, connected, willing to share information, resources, time, advice, insight etc etc – in fact so much was my desire to be well thought of that I was prioritizing these things ahead of my business.

I was not saying NO.

At the end of the meeting we all presented on what we had got out of the three days and what action steps we were going to commit to in 2008, or at least for the first 90 days.

Normally I come away from these meetings with some new ideas to implement, new tools, new technologies. This time none of that – it was a new way of being. The meeting was in some ways the best that I have attended. In others the worst because we did not get a chance to socialize, have fun, see reactions etc – I look forward to November for that.

But I did come away with a clear set of new ‘rules’ to live by;

• No and seeing the positive outcome of saying no
• No to returning to what I had left in my office and business at the start of the week
• No to more hours for less fun, family, life, balance etc

So for 2008 I am going to say NO more often – if you are a friend, family member, colleague, client, associate you are on notice that I might be saying no, but it is going to be a positive no and I am still the same person.

I am learning the benefit of being incredibly selfish, not in an arrogant way but ensuring that there is time for me, my family and my business. Without that selfishness there will not be a me and that means I won’t be around to attract what is possible for me.

So are you being selfish for you?  Can you stop yourself from saying yes to;

• those opportunities that are going to be a distraction and drain on your time and take you away from where you should be focused.
• continuing to be treated disrespectfully or being under appreciated for all that you do for others.
• doing one more thing and then never having the time to treat yourself to a luxury, a trip or even just some me time.

What do you think?

Looking to make a difference in 2008?

I was planning to send out a series of posts between now and the new year to get readers starting to think about the difference they want to make with their personal brand in 2008.

That was until I received Robert Middleton's weekly ezine with this link The Gift of Service - I think it says it all.

Make a difference in 2008. Wishing you a happy and outstanding year for your personal brand.

Get on the Web in 2008

If you have not got a web presence yet make it a new years resolution that your get one in 2008. A great way to start to build your personal brand is to have your own domain either connected to a web portfolio or a blog.

Also that last minute gift idea for someone else - what better than spending less than $10 at GoDaddy.com and buying children nieces, nephews even Granny their own domain!

Where Do You Need to be Seen?

  Perhaps you do not need to spend $10,000 on a plastic pink chair -but perhaps you need to be seen in the place where one is becuase that is where your target audience hangs out.

Take a moment to consider where you are spending your time and money and is it on brand for you? Are you getting exposed to the right opportunities? Are you a member at the right palces or in the best organizations for your brand?

                        

Buff up the Image

Unless you are like Richard Branson, walking around naked to get attention is not a great move in personal branding!

But projecting the right image certainly is.

One of the great things about the holidays is that retailers always have left overs - bit like the turkey dinner! So the SALES soon follow - usually the very next day. Its a great time to find those clothing bargains that will add to your brand and really show who you are.

Its well worth the time, cost and effort to invest in your brand with the use of an image consultant or at the very least get your colours done - it makes such a difference internally and externally.

What Would You Look Like as an Elf?

Showing Your Personal Brand #2 Sometimes you do not even have to spend any money to thank someone this holiday season and still reflect your personal brand.

I never did see the Will Ferrell comedy film Elf - but if humour is one of your attributes then you have to take a look at yourself as an elf by going to the very clever Office Max viral promotion Elf Yourself, its hilarious - and if you have some photos of team members, clients or others I think it would be hard to find someone who did not smile at this.

Make Mine a Double Tall Non-Fat No Foam Latte Extra Hot with Legs!

For the next 5 days, leading up to what is for most the last work days before taking a well deserved holiday break, I am going to be giving you some ideas for gifts that can display to those that matter a little more about your personal brand and show your appreciation.

Showing Your Personal Brand #1

Looking for a more memorable thank you this holiday season? Want to make it personal and useful? What if it could be on brand for you too?

Starbucks may well have the answer, My Customized Starbucks Card allows you to design your own card for someone else, pay for it online and have it sent directly to them.

I am a big Starbucks fan both in terms of their brand, the fact that they allow their employees to develop their own personal brands under the corporate banner and they make good coffee ofcourse!

This is a really great idea at this time of year to say thanks and add a touch of your own personal brand too. I am sure the recipient is going to remember this (and you) for a long time - infact everytime they pull out THEIR card and order that Double Tall Non Fat No Foam Latte Extra Hot with Legs!